QLogic Demonstrates InfiniBand Switch for Server Clustering Applications at Intel Developer Forum

Business Wire, August 18, 2000

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 18, 2000

QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq: QLGC), a leading SAN infrastructure provider, today announced it will demonstrate a prototype of an InfiniBand switch which will provide the interconnect infrastructure for Intel's multi-vendor InfiniBand demonstration at the Intel Developer Forum in San Jose, Calif., next week.

InfiniBand architecture is positioned to ultimately replace shared buses such as PCI as the next processor-to-processor interconnect or processor-to-peripheral connection. It is fundamentally different from PCI in that InfiniBand architecture is a switched fabric architecture, enabling the connection of additional devices without performance degradation. QLogic has been an early leader in InfiniBand architecture and product development.

"InfiniBand architecture will drive switches into the core of the data center," said Jim Pappas, director of initiative marketing for Intel's Fabric Component Division. "Using QLogic's prototype switch, we are able to demonstrate a unified fabric of storage, networking, and clustering in the InfiniBand demonstration at IDF."

The InfiniBand prototype switch provides data connections between host stations, such as servers, and their targets, such as network devices. Each switch will have ten 2.5 Gbps full-duplex data ports for connectivity. Internally, the switches have a prototype subnet management agent enabling remote switch management. Future QLogic InfiniBand switches will support both copper and fiber implementations.

"The InfiniBand switch allows multiple connections to high speed networks, tape drives, disk drives and other devices without having to compete for bandwidth," said Rob Davis, vice president, advanced engineering, QLogic Switch Products Group. "This gives end users the greatest scalability without having to increase the number of switches."

QLogic will also demonstrate the prototype Graphical User Interface (GUI) for subnet management at the forum. The GUI allows end users to choose switch, port and channel adapter views for examining counts and statuses. End users can also view a logical picture of the connected topology.

InfiniBand architecture is being developed by the InfiniBand Trade Association, an independent, non-profit group with over 170 members from every segment of the industry. Final specifications are expected late this year with initial products from member companies expected beginning in 2001.

About QLogic

QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq: QLGC) is changing the way the world views Storage Area Networks (SANs), serving OEMs, VARs and system integrators with the broadest line of SAN infrastructure components in the industry. With over 15 years of enterprise storage experience, the company delivers a full range of Fibre Channel switches, PCI host bus adapters, controller silicon and management chips for systems and peripherals, as well as the QLogic Management Suite of SAN management software solutions. A member of the Nasdaq-100(R) Index, QLogic recently emerged on the Forbes 500 and Business Week 200 lists.

QLogic is integrated in over 200 OEM solutions, including: AMI, Compaq, Dell, EMC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, INRANGE, Iwill, MTI Technology Corp., Quantum, Raidtec, Siemens, Sony, Sun and Unisys. For more information about QLogic and its products, contact QLogic Corp., 26600 Laguna Hills Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; telephone: 800/662-4471 (sales); 949/389-6000 (corporate); fax: 949/389-6126; home page http://www.qlogic.com.

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